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Bell Media Specialty - NEWS and SCHEDULES - 2018-19

I think this would mark a good time to start a new thread as the existing one is from 2017, starting to get long and with the new TV season looming in just a few short weeks, news and schedules for the specialty channels will be released. Just to keep things updated. If we could have this thread pinned, that would be great.

At first glance, what can I say. It’s sad and kind of a joke at the same time. Aside from the music video blocks in the morning and early afternoon, the rest of the schedule is a poorly blended mixture of reruns from both Comedy and MTV Canada with few first run original episodes and new seasons of returning favourites like South Park, Tosh.O and Drunk History. And like most of the other Bell specialties, movie marathons on weekends.

If not only for the current terms and conditions of license that still require the channel to continue airing music videos, this channel is on its way to becoming like other former music channels that have simply changed their format, similar to what happened with CMT last year.

To be honest, I would feel less inclined to watch music videos on this channel nowadays, especially with a number of options including YouTube and the suite of Stingray music video channels becoming widely available across major BDUs or even regular programming packages.

Down the road, Bell should consider turning MUCH into an exclusive digital service. The channel already has its own digital studio and the content is clearly aimed at younger demographics who spend more time online and probably do not watch TV, if any at all.

VICE and Bell Media Join Forces for Innovative New Partnership in Canada

– More than 650 hours of VICE content to air and stream on Bell Media television, mobile, and digital platforms –
– VICE and Bell Media to co-operate on multi-platform sales solutions –

August 16, 2018

TORONTO (August 16, 2018) – Bell Media and VICE Media announced today a new, long-term, far-reaching agreement that delivers the best of VICE programming, original VICE productions, and a new media sales relationship.

The arrangement sees Bell Media become the exclusive Canadian broadcast home to new original programming from VICE’s U.S. linear network, VICELAND, along with hundreds of hours of library VICE programming, all debuting on multiple Bell Media platforms, including CraveTV, in the fall of 2018.

“With its new leadership, re-energized programming slate, and U.S. deal with Hulu, we are thrilled to welcome VICE to Bell Media in Canada,” said Randy Lennox, President, Bell Media. “We see great opportunity with this new partnership and are very motivated for an exciting future with VICE.”

“We are thrilled to announce such a multi-faceted, far-reaching deal with Bell Media,” said Naveen Prasad, President of VICE Canada. “They share a similar vision and have the added platforms and reach to enhance VICE’s various lines of business in Canada, whether it be our studio, digital media or creative agency.”

New VICE programming such as the upcoming THE HUNT FOR THE TRUMP TAPES WITH TOM ARNOLD and MUNCHIES GUIDE TO will exclusively air on television on Bell Media channels. Bell Media has also acquired the TV, digital, and SVOD rights to more than 650 hours of VICE library programming, including the Emmy®-nominated GAYCATION, WHAT WOULD DIPLO DO? starring James Van Der Beek, MOST EXPENSIVEST starring Grammy Award-winner 2 Chainz, SLUTEVER, F*CK THAT’S DELICIOUS with Action Bronson, VICE GUIDE TO FILM, MY HOUSE, KING OF THE ROAD, HAMILTON’S PHARMACOPEIA, and ABANDONED.

Both companies will also explore co-production opportunities for Bell Media platforms in Canada and VICE platforms around the world. It was announced today that The Movie Network (TMN) has commissioned the sequel to the acclaimed VICE documentary DOPESICK, entitled DOPESICK2: THE FUTURE OF ADDICTION.

The two companies will also utilize their respective expertise by forming an advertising sales relationship that will see VICE and Bell Media combine their capabilities to bring innovative, multi-platform solutions to clients.

VICE programming will also be available on the upcoming CTV Super Hub and in a VICE-branded collection on CraveTV. SnackableTV, Bell Media’s new short-form video app, will become home to VICE videos like SMOKE SHOW and TEENAGE EXORCISTS.

Bell Media has previously showcased VICE programming on HBO Canada, including the Emmy-winning documentary series VICE (Fridays at midnight ET) and Emmy-winning weeknight series VICE NEWS TONIGHT (Monday-Thursday at midnight ET). VICE special reports like A WORLD IN DISSARAY are available on HBO Canada On Demand.

So Vice programming coming to Bell Media was written on the wall when Rogers cut off the contract. Now it does not look like they will do a Vice or Viceland channel but spread it across their channels. Not sure sure which ones thought. Unless they plan on re-branding a channel into something new, I don't really see where it would fit. Maybe Fashion TV with Ellen reruns (just kidding of course).

But they could have some kind of documentary channel type replace one of the sleeping channel, usual suspect FashionTV, Book TV...It does not really fit into the re-brand to those awful named channel CTV Drama, CTV Sci-fi, CTV Comedy. Maybe CTV Life if they really change the format of Gusto, which is a Food channel right?!?!?

By the way, please tell me they reception to their new names for those channel was so badly received that they changed their minds on that...but probably not.
How can they think this is a good idea. Can you just hear it, "Have you see X shows on CTV Drama. On what now?"

So Vice programming coming to Bell Media was written on the wall when Rogers cut off the contract. Now it does not look like they will do a Vice or Viceland channel but spread it across their channels. Not sure sure which ones thought. Unless they plan on re-branding a channel into something new, I don't really see where it would fit. Maybe Fashion TV with Ellen reruns (just kidding of course).

But they could have some kind of documentary channel type replace one of the sleeping channel, usual suspect FashionTV, Book TV...It does not really fit into the re-brand to those awful named channel CTV Drama, CTV Sci-fi, CTV Comedy. Maybe CTV Life if they really change the format of Gusto, which is a Food channel right?!?!?

By the way, please tell me they reception to their new names for those channel was so badly received that they changed their minds on that...but probably not.
How can they think this is a good idea. Can you just hear it, "Have you see X shows on CTV Drama. On what now?"

I would expect the bulk of the VICE programming to turn up on Much and MTV Canada, which would at least help fill the gaps currently filled with reruns and make up for the fall schedule they just put out recently.

Although I had thoughts of the foodie shows possibly turning up on Gusto, considering they have been airing that cooking show “Martha and Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party”.

By the way, did Bell came to it sense and canceled those awful rebranding of Bravo, Space, Gusto, etc. I know they never said when it would happen, but with Crave taking most of the shows showing on those channel, did they simply do that instead? Hopefully they did. They could simply add CTV's on top of those orginal logo and that would be it if they want their name everywhere.